Reaction to Paterson's proposed budget cuts, DA candidates broke rules, beer can DNA leads to plea, paying for horse retirement
A very quick overview of David Paterson's plan to cut $2 billion from this year's state budget. [AOA]
David Paterson's proposed budget cuts went over pretty much as you would expect with the state's various interest groups: not well at all. [TU] [Biz Review] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
Dean Skelos, the lame-duck state Senate majority leader, basically said the Senate wouldn't act on Paterson's proposals during next week's special session. Skelos also said he didn't "see anything creative" in Paterson's plan. [Daily Politics]
A big portion of the proposed budget cuts come from school aid. Among the proposed cuts for local districts: Albany $2.6 million (3.4 percent), Schenectady $2.7 million (3 percent), Guilderland $2 million (10 percent), Troy $1.4 million (3 percent). [TU]
Also among the proposed cuts: VLT money that goes to cities and counties. Saratoga Springs could lose $1.8 million next year under the Paterson plan. The city's finance commissioner says the city's going to plan on still getting the full amount. VLT money makes up about 10 percent of the city's budget. [Saratogian]
It appears that both David Soares and Roger Cusick broke campaign finance rules by taking more money than was allowed from labor unions. [TU]
A Schenectady police car was t-boned while driving through an intersection with its lights and sirens on. [Daily Gazette]
Like an episode of CSI, an arson suspect in Rotterdam took a plea deal after investigators turned up evidence using cardboard fracture analysis and DNA from a beer cans. [Daily Gazette]
The average rate for a hotel room in Saratoga County was $165.60 during July, August and September -- by far the highest in the Capital Region. [TU]
A survey of horse owners who retired horses in New York State this year reported that owners are probably willing to pay something for horse retirement care and retraining. [Daily Gazette]
It looks like former UAlbany president Karen Hitchcock is back in the Capital Region. She had been heading up a university in Canada until this past summer. [TU]
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I have to wonder about the vast number of hotels outside of Albany and away from the airport. Who stays there? What do they come here for? Just how many in-laws are there whose families can't stand to have them stay in-house for a visit?
... said Lathamite on Nov 13, 2008 at 12:19 PM | link
Patterson should try trimmining some of the state jobs...My sister worked in Albany for the State DOH and the WHOLE time she worked there, she had NOTHING to do, as was the case for many of her co-workers! Let's give more to the welfare---good plan (not). At least, sooner or later, the low to middle class workers will benefit---we'll all be on welfare! Governor Patterson is going to end up driving everyone who isn't collecting welfare or already rich out of this state!!! I know I'm looking elsewhere!
... said beth ritter on Dec 16, 2008 at 5:39 PM | link